Franchise Phone System
for Multi-Location
Businesses
Running one shop — or one hundred? Stay connected, sound professional, and never worry about missing a call with virtual phone service from AccessDirect.
The Problem With Phone Systems for Franchises and Multi-Location Businesses
When you’re opening new locations, a phone system isn’t always top of mind. Most new stores just set up their own phone line. But this can cause major problems.
With separate setups, you may be stuck managing hardware, software licenses, and support for every single location. That means buying phones, servers, headsets, and maybe hiring IT staff just to keep things running. But even with a team, it’s clunky, expensive, and a nightmare to scale.
Before long, the cracks start to show:
- Customers hear different greetings at different stores
- Calls don’t always reach the right person
- Staff wastes time answering the same basic questions
It slows down your team and hurts your professional image. If a customer calls the wrong location and is told to hang up and try another number — they might not even bother. When every store is supposed to feel like part of the same trusted brand, inconsistency can be a deal-breaker.
AccessDirect fixes all that.
Our cloud-based franchise phone system is easy to set up, manage, and scale. No additional hardware needed! We integrate with your existing phone setup, so you can keep your existing number, choose a new one, or link all locations to a central corporate line.
We’ll record your greetings, customize your call flow, and route calls anywhere you want (to a main line, a manager’s cell phone, or somewhere else). That way, every caller gets the help they need with the same brand experience, every time.
With AccessDirect, your phone system works your way (no need for a dedicated IT department or tons of training videos). Just give us a call. We’ll get you set up fast, so you can stay focused on growing your business.
Why AccessDirect? 6 Benefits for Franchises
When you’re growing a business, you need systems that grow with you, without costing a fortune.
Save Money (Skip the Receptionist)
You don’t need to hire someone to manage your phone. AccessDirect answers and routes calls for a fraction of the cost, with flexible plans to fit your unique needs.
Keep Your Brand Consistent
Make every call feel on-brand. All plans include free professional greeting recordings, so every location sounds polished and consistent from the very first “hello.” You can also call us to change your recording any time.
Save Time
Your team shouldn’t have to repeat store hours or directions to callers all day long. Set up custom extensions to handle routine questions automatically — so your crew can focus on what really matters.
Flexibility for Every Location
Use one phone menu for all your stores or customize greetings and extensions by location. You can even set custom call routing rules for weekends and holidays. Either way, you stay in control.
Easy Setup, No Extra Hardware Needed
No servers, no installation, no stress. Our cloud-hosted system means you don’t need to buy (or wire up) any extra products. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Real Support, Right Here in the U.S.
Have a question? Need to update your call routing or greeting? Just call us. You’ll get the help you need from someone who knows your setup, all from our office in Kansas City.
Franchise-Friendly Features That Keep You in Control
AccessDirect gives you all the tools you need to manage calls with less work.
AUTO ATTENDANT
Greet every caller with a consistent, professional message and automatically send them to the right place, no matter which location they dial.
FREE PROFESSIONAL GREETING
We’ll record your custom greeting with professional equipment at no extra cost, so every call starts with a polished, on-brand message.
LOCAL OR TOLL-FREE NUMBERS
Choose a local or toll-free number (or both). Connect all locations to a central toll-free line to build regional trust and a unified brand image at the same time.
DIAL-BY-NAME DIRECTORY
Let callers reach employees just by entering a name with their keypad. We’ll route the call to the appropriate extension automatically.
MULTIPLE EXTENSIONS
Set up extensions and phone menus for staff, departments, or 24/7 support, so callers always can reach the right person every time.
INFO BOXES
Let your phone system answer common questions for you with pre-recorded messages, then route callers to a live person if needed.
AUTOMATIC CALL ROUTING
Send calls to landlines, business phones, or cell phones automatically based on your schedule. You decide when to take calls (or not).
VISUAL VOICEMAIL
Get voicemails as audio files and text transcripts sent straight to your inbox or phone, so you can quickly read them and reply when it works best for you.
SMART CALL SCREENING
Automatically block spam, robocalls, and political surveys. Our filters keep the junk out so you can focus on real customers and real conversations.
Optional Add-Ons
- Business Text Messaging* - Text customers from your AccessDirect number just like you’d call. It’s perfect for quick updates and reminders or answering questions without hopping on the phone.
- Dedicated Fax Number* - Get a local or toll-free fax number, then send and receive faxes by email, and lose the bulky machine.
*Optional features may have an additional charge.
Upgrade to a Multiple Line Phone System Without the Headache
Make call management easier across every franchise location. AccessDirect gives you affordable, reliable phone service that keeps your team connected from anywhere.
Start your free trial today and see what consistent, professional phone service should feel like.
Franchise Spotlight: How AccessDirect Helps Multi-Location Businesses Stay Connected
Case Study: A National Franchise Group
One national franchise faced a common issue: each of their locations handled calls differently. Some answered quickly, others didn’t. Recorded greetings were inconsistent, and stores couldn’t transfer calls. Instead, customers had to hang up and dial a different number.
AccessDirect stepped in with an interconnected phone system that made all 85 locations sound and operate like one unified brand. We provided:
- Consistent, professionally recorded greetings
- Custom menus and extensions by location
- Standardized voicemail
- Seamless call transfers between stores
With our service, callers got the same great experience at every location. The business had less confusion and fewer dropped leads.
Case Study: Ink Refill Franchise
One growing ink refill franchise needed a better way to handle constant calls for store hours and directions. While these calls were short, the time spent answering them added up fast, pulling staff away from helping in-store customers.
After hearing about AccessDirect from colleagues, individual store owners started using the service, and everything changed.
We set up an automated system that answered routine questions automatically and routed all other calls to the right extensions. That way, staff could stay focused on customers in the store, while the franchise never missed a single call.
It’s the same setup trusted by retail and restaurant franchises everywhere: fast answers for callers, less chaos for your team.
Franchise Phone Solutions That Fit Every Role
Whether you’re opening your first location, managing dozens of stores, or leading a mobile service team, AccessDirect gives you a multiple line phone system that works the way you do.
Established Franchise Groups & Developers
If your business is growing but your phone system hasn’t kept up, AccessDirect makes it easy to modernize. We provide custom call routing, professional greetings, and scalable features — all without disrupting your brand or adding new hardware. Keep the number your customers know, and get smarter call management across every location.
Individual Franchise Owners
If you’re running the show on your own, managing a phone system shouldn’t be another task on your plate. We make setup quick and easy. You keep your number, and we’ll handle the rest, routing calls to your cell, another store, voicemail, or all three. No hardware, no extra stress, and your custom greeting is recorded for free.
Regional Franchise Managers
Overseeing multiple stores or service teams? AccessDirect gives you centralized control over voicemail, call transfers, and location-specific routing from a convenient mobile or desktop app. Need to make a change? Do it in the app, or just give us a call, and we’ll take care of it fast.
Mobile Franchises and Field Teams
For teams on the move, AccessDirect helps you stay connected and maintain privacy at the same time. Route calls from one main number to any mobile device using custom rules without revealing any personal numbers. With this kind of flexible setup, you can instantly maintain professional boundaries, support field teams, and protect work-life balance with no extra hardware.
How To Set Up Your Franchise Phone System
1
Pick Your Plan
Choose the setup that fits your business. Keep your current number or get a new local or toll-free number to support your growing franchise.
2
Customize Your System
Tell us how you want calls routed and what your greeting should say. We’ll help you fine-tune every detail to match how your team works.
3
We Handle the Rest
From there, we’ll set it all up for you. No hassle or tech headaches. You get a phone system that just works.
Short on time? Give us a call. We’ll help you choose a plan and get everything running within 24 hours.
Flexible Plans for Agencies of Any Size
Direct Messaging
$19.95 / month
Straightforward voicemail and fax. Perfect for single locations or individual franchise owners who just need messaging.
Direct Executive
$19.95 / month
Ideal for solo franchise owners. Forward calls, manage messages, and keep work and personal calls separate all from one phone.
(Popular) Direct Reception
27.95 / month
Built for growing franchises. Set up multiple extensions, advanced call routing, dial-by-name directory, and more to streamline call flow.
FAQ
What’s the best phone system for a franchise?
The best phone system for a franchise keeps call flows consistent across all locations without technical hassles or huge upfront costs.
AccessDirect delivers a cloud-based, multiple line phone system to simplify call management for all your locations. Plans include features like auto-attendants, unlimited extensions, voicemail-to-email, and professionally recorded greetings. You get all the tools of an enterprise PBX, made simple and affordable for growing businesses.
How do I set up a business phone line?
Setting up a business phone line with AccessDirect is quick and easy:
- Choose a new local or toll-free number, or keep your existing one.
- Provide your greeting script. We’ll record it professionally at no extra cost.
- Set your call routing preferences using our app or just give us a call.
Why do franchises need a specialized phone system?
Franchises operate across multiple locations with different teams and owners, all under one brand. This makes consistent communication important but tricky. A specialized phone system helps by maintaining on-brand greetings and handling calls more efficiently. This adds up to better customer service and improved productivity for every location.
How does the cost of AccessDirect compare to hiring in-house staff?
Hiring a dedicated in-house receptionist averages around $18.00 per hour (roughly $38,000 annually), not including benefits, vacation time, or other expenses.
AccessDirect plans start at just $19.95 per month, or about $239 to $1,200 per year depending on your needs. That’s about the same as one hour of a receptionist’s time — but covers a full month of call management features with 24/7 availability.
For franchises, it’s an easy way to stay professional and responsive without the high cost.
What if my franchise is under an existing phone contract?
No worries! AccessDirect will guide you through porting your numbers and timing the transition to avoid any service disruptions. If you’re using your cell phone to take calls, you can get a new number from your provider and we’ll port the existing number to our system. We’ll do the complicated stuff, so you can focus on what matters most.
More Consistency, Less Chaos: That’s How We Do Phones
Whether you’re running one store or managing dozens, your phone system should make life easier. As your franchise grows, so does your need for a reliable, professional phone setup. If you’re dealing with mixed-up greetings or staff stretched thin by answering routine calls, it’s probably time for an upgrade.
At AccessDirect, we give you an easy-to-use, flexible system that keeps every location connected and on-brand. Customers can still reach you the way they always have, but behind the scenes, a smart virtual phone system does all the heavy lifting. No hardware. No IT team. No hassle.
We know how busy you are. That’s why we’re here to make your phones the easiest part of your business.
Call us today or order online to get started, and see how easy taking calls can be.